Current Students - Graduate

Why do you think I should choose this school over any other for graduate study in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering?

There are many excellent departments of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering in the nation, with a variety of strengths. Some factors which may help you choose Delaware are:

University of Delaware Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department consistently is ranked in the top 10 in Graduate Surveys in the U.S.

The faculty is distinguished -- 3 members of the National Academy of Engineers, 16 Presidential/NSF Young Investigators/CAREER Award winners.

The graduate student to faculty ratio is about 4.2:1.

The central location on the eastern seaboard to New York, Washington, Philadelphia, and Baltimore is convenient (both culturally and to the greatest concentration of industrial and government research laboratories in the U.S.)

Our fiscal year research expenditures were 16.4 million dollars for 2016.

2000 National Doctoral Program Survey by the National Association of Graduate - Professional Studies ranked the University of Delaware Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department 3rd in the nation.

See the ChE News Bulletin Board for recent achievements of our faculty and students.

What is the size of the graduate program in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Delaware?

In a typical year, 25-30 graduate students enroll in the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering program, leading to an average graduate student body size of 140-150 students.

What portions of the GRE exam are required for admission?

The Verbal, Analytic, and Quantitative components of the GRE are required (but not the Subject exams). Typically in recent years, successful candidates achieve scores above 155 in quantitative and over 156 in verbal.

What is the deadline for applications?

Fall:January 6: To receive priority consideration for admission and full consideration for department fundingJune 1: Final deadline to apply

Who are the best individuals to use for reference letters?

Your reference letters should come from professors who know you well from interactions, such as research supervision or coursework. It is not unusual for us to receive recommendation letters from job supervisors as well (e.g., summer internship or co-op).

Is it possible for someone to look at my resume and tell me if I should apply to Delaware?

We have hundreds of applicants every year, with a wide variety of credentials and experiences. Your best source of advice is a professor at your institution. The key factors that we consider in each application are the personal statement, letters of recommendation, undergraduate GPA, GRE scores and (when applicable) undergraduate research experience.

Is it possible to visit the department?

Once the formal admissions offers have been made, each U.S. student will receive an invitation to attend a special recruiting weekend (at our expense) that will introduce you to the program. At this event, the students will have a chance to tour the departmental facilities, meet with all the faculty members, and meet with current graduate students. It is your primary opportunity to gather information about the program. In extenuating circumstances, we can make special arrangements for individual visits, once an admission offer has been given.

What is the cost of graduate school?

Students at the PhD level are fully funded, receiving both a tuition waiver and a stipend. (Our stipend levels are competitive with most major U.S. institutions). The following minimal fees are covered by all students at the University of Delaware:

U.S. Students: You will be responsible for the following semester fees: Student Health Service, Student Center, Comprehensive, and Registration fees. Fee schedule. All students are required to have health insurance coverage and must verify their coverage at the beginning of each academic year. The cost of this insurance plan is approximately $200 a year for fully funded students as the University subsidizes 86% of the actual cost of the plan. Specific information about the plan and enrollment options can be found at http://www.udel.edu/RM/. Note: Students may process a waiver to be enrolled in the plan if appropriately enrolled in another qualified plan.

Foreign Students: You will be responsible for the same fees as the U.S. students as well as the international student fee. All students are required to have health insurance coverage and must verify their coverage at the beginning of each academic year. The cost of this insurance plan is approximately $200 a year for fully funded students as the University subsidizes 86% of the actual cost of the plan. Specific information about the plan and enrollment options can be found at http://www.udel.edu/RM/. Note: Students may process a waiver to be enrolled in the plan if appropriately enrolled in another qualified plan.

At the MS level, there is no financial support for either full time or part-time (coursework) thesis.

Are my chances of admission affected by my planned area of specialization?

Absolutely not. Our applicants are evaluated strictly on the basis of their individual accomplishments. We encourage students to explore all of their options once they arrive on campus, before they select a research advisor.

When do Delaware's students choose PhD advisors and thesis topics?

You select research projects that interest you and matches are made in November of the first year. This gives you a chance meet the faculty and more senior graduate students, and to explore the wide variety of projects offered. No matches are made in advance of this, however, feel free to contact the relevant faculty members about areas you are particularly interested. Also note that during your departmental visit you will be asked if you have any areas of deeper interest, so you will be able to meet with those faculty with related research projects.

What about Qualifiers?

Delaware, like most U.S. graduate schools, requires all students to pass a qualifier exam (held in the summer of the first year) to enter the PhD program.